the keeper's cottage · day 521 · afternoon

A Quiet Stretch

Back at the cottage.

The tide is steadily rising, lapping at the base of the reinforced dock pilings. Inside the cottage, the smell of damp wood is heavy as the tank overflow continues to seep into the sill. Jenny sits on the porch, nursing the warm mug of limpet broth while Kevin watches the water creep further up the shore.

🔧 Kevin08:41

I’m cooking limpets. I’ll bring them to you when they’re done.

cook limpets: simple boiled limpets with sea beet and mint poultice on the side

💭 peek at the thought

I’m tired and hungry, but the limpets are clean and ready. I should cook them now while the stove’s warm and bring them to Jenny on the porch before they get cold.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny08:41

Don't overcook the salt.

Lean heavily against the kitchen table, rubbing the swollen area while watching the steam rise from the pot.

💭 peek at the thought

My ankle is throbbing in time with the tide and I'm too tired to even peel the shells off without crying.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin08:43

I won’t. Just a few minutes more.

stir the pot gently, then lift the lid to check doneness after 90 seconds of simmering

💭 peek at the thought

She’s in pain but still watching the pot. I’ll take care not to ruin them — she’s right, limpets turn tough fast. I’ll keep it gentle and watch the time.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny08:43

Just make sure they're hot.

Pull out a chair and sit slowly, wiping a smudge of dirt from my fingernail.

💭 peek at the thought

If the infection reaches the bone, I'll never be able to hold a trowel again.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin08:45

They’ll be hot. I’ll take them straight to you.

turn off the stove, ladle limpets and broth into a tin mug, carry it to the porch and set it down beside Jenny’s chair without a word

💭 peek at the thought

She’s trying to help, even small things like cleaning my nail. I’ll make sure they’re hot but not ruined — just enough to warm through.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny08:45

Thanks, Kevin.

Reach for the mug, my fingers trembling slightly as I take a cautious sip of the warm broth.

💭 peek at the thought

He thinks he's being helpful, but the silence between us is heavier than the salt air today.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin08:46

You’re welcome. I’ll be right here if you want more.

sit on the porch step beside her, silent, watching the tide roll in against the dock pilings

💭 peek at the thought

She’s drinking it slow, like she’s testing if she can keep it down. I won’t push. Just stay nearby in case she needs anything else.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny08:47

I'm okay for now.

way my head back against the whitewashed stone of the way, watching the water reclaim the shore.

💭 peek at the thought

The hunger is a dull ache, but the throb in my ankle is sharper, insistent.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.